Toy



Nov. 30,192

C. J. SLADEK TOY Filed Feb. 1. 192

WTN Es's: I I ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,600,211 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. SLADEK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOY.

Application filed February This invention relates to new and useful improvements in toys and more particularly to a toy automobile. The main object of the present invention is the constructlon of a toy of the above character wherein operating means is provided for propelling the toy over a comparatively smooth surface.

Another object of the present invention 1s the provision of a toy automobile wherein W the propelling mechanism includes suitable gears for driving the propelling shaft, and tension means is used for driving the main driving parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a toy of the above character wherein the body portion of the same is constructed of a single piece of material and suitable means is provided whereby the forward axle of the vehicle may be readily adusted with respect to the body to direct the propulsion of the vehicle in different directions.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features in construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claim and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of a toy constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation.

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, parts being eliminated.

Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of-the tensioning members illustrating the manner of connecting several of the tensioning members together.

Fig. 7 is a detail section of front of the vehicle illustrating'a slightly modified form of retaining catch.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the numeral 1 indicates the body of my improved toy which is stamped from a single piece of metal having its side portions bent downwardly to form the side walls 2 and 3 of the vehicle. The ends are bent inwardly to provide the front end portion it and the rear end portion 5, said ends being provided with suitable tongues 6 which are extended through openings in the overlapping ears 7 of the side walls and then turned down onto the ears as clearly illus- 1, 1924. Serial No. 690,078.

trated in Fig. 2 to securely retain the side and end walls in their proper relative positions.

The seat 8 is formed by stamping the same out from the body of the metal and bending the side portions upon themselves as illustrated in Fig. l so that the seat 8 is disposed slightly below the cut out portions and correctly positioned with respect to the body or intermediate portion of the vehicle.

The forward or steering axle 9 of the vehicle is provided upon each end with the front wheels 10 and one side of the axle is fitted within a suitable bearing 11 in the side wall 3 and the wheel in this end of the axle is retained in spaced relation with respect to the side wall 3 by means of the U shaped bracket 12, the ends of which are mounted upon the axle while the intermediate portion thereof is disposed between the wheel and the side wall 3 to securely retain the wheel in spaced relation with respect to the side wall. The other end of the axle is removably engaged within the spaced notches 13 formed in the lower edge of the side Wall 2, said notches being formed by stamping out a portion of the metal so as to leave the inwardly bent tongue members 1-1 which frictionally engage the axle when disposed within the recesses to retain the same therein against accidental removal. As shown in Fig. 1 the axle 9 is disposed within the foremost of the recesses 13 thus causing the vehicle to travel in a straight line and if it is desired to guide the vehicle in a circle the axle is moved rearwardly into the innermost recess 13 which will position the wheels 10 in such a manner with respect to the body of the vehicle that it will cause the same to travel in a circle.

The rear or driving axle 15 of the vehicle is mounted within suitable openings formed in the side walls 2 and 3 at a point adjacent the rear end of the vehicle and in order to retain one of the driving wheels 16 in spaced relation with respect to the side portion 2 of the vehicle a bracket 12 is mounted upon the axle and disposed between the wheel and the side wall of the vehicle as clearly illustrated. The other driving wheel 16 is suitably connected to the driving axle 15 by splitting the end of the axle and inserting a fastening member 17 in the split portion of the axle and engaging the same with the hub of the vehicle, thus connecting the wheel with the driving axle 15 for propelling the vehicle.

Mounted upon the. driving axle. 15. between the side: Walls 2 and 3 is a bevel gear 18 adapted to mesh with a similar gear 19 carried by the stub shaft 20. In order to support the stub shaft 20 and bevel gear 19' a supporting bracket 21 is positioned between the side walls 2 and 3 and suitably connected thereto in any desired manner although I have illustrated in the present instance the provision of tongues, 22 formed upon the ends. of the bracketsQl and extended through suitable openings in the side walls with said tongues turned over onto, the outer faces of the side walls to retain the bracket in position. This bracket is provided with a rearwardly projecting arm 28 having an upstandingfiiange 24, against which the lrub of the bevel gear 1 8 abuts to limit the sliding movement of the driving axle 15. The bracket 21 is also provided with flanges 25 having bearing openings there n for supporting the stub, shaft 20. The forward end of the] stub shaft 20 is provided with a hook menrber 2-6, and supported in the front end 4 of the vehicle is a stub shaft 27' having a hook member 28. formed upon its inner end and arranged in opposed relation. with the hook 26. The forward end: of the stub shaft 27 projects through the front wall of the vehicle and is provided with a crank handle 29); adapted to be grasped by the operator for rotating the stub, shaft 27. The two hooks 26, and 28 are suitably connected by tensioning members 30 which in the present instance is illustrated as formed of a plurality of rubber bands with their ends looped together as illustrated in Fig. 6, said rubber bands being twisted through the rotation of the stub shaft 27 and when placed under tension the vehicle may be placed upon a comparatively smooth surface and when releasing the same, the tension of the members 30 will impart a rotary movement to the driving shaft 15, which in turn will operate the traction wheels 16 and propel the vehicle.

In, order to prevent backward movement of the crank handle 29 after the members 30 have been placed under tension, a suitable spring: catch 31 projects through the front end of the vehicle and is so; positioned that during the rotation of the crank handle in one direction, the same will readily ride over the catch, but upon backward movement of the handle it will be engaged by the catch to prevent further movement in this direction. This spring member 31 extends diagonally across one corner of theforward end of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 2, its inner end attached to the side wall 3 as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that I have provided an extremely simple toy of the character described wherein the body of the same is stamped from a single piece of metalthus reducing the cost of manufacture and sale of the toy. I also wish it to be understood that while I have illustrated and described the tensioning means for driving the toy as in the form of a pluralityof rubber bands suitably connected together, itwill be apparent that any similar type of tensioning means such as a coil spring or the like may be used if found desirable.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a slightly modified form of catch to be used for retaining the crank handle against any backward movement and in this form of catch I stamp out a portion of the metal in the front wall L to, form a yieldable tongue which will permit the crank handle 29 to pass over the same when rotated in one direction but upon backward movement of the handle it will engage behind the yieldable tongue, and prevent further baclqvard moyement.

lYhil'e, I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention I Wish it to be understood that various changes and alterations may be carried out during the manufacture of the same without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope: of the appended; claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:.

A toy of the class described including a body having downtrrrned side flanges, axles supported by the body, traction wheels mounted upon the ends of the axles, one of said flanges having spaced recesses at its forward end portion for receiving an end portion of one of said axles permitting said one. of the axles to be disposed at various angles relative to they body, a yieldable tongue one side of each of said recesses adapted for yieldable engagement with said end portion of said one of the axles, and means for retaining said one of the axles against transverse movement relative to the body, when said one of the axles is disposed with its end portion in either of the recesses in yield-able engagement with the tongue of the recess engaged by said end portion, said means including a substantially U- shaped bracket disposed between one of the Wheels on said one 0,1 the axles and one. of the downturned flanges adjacent said one of the wheels.

In testimony whereof affix my signature.

CHARLES, J. SLADEK. 

